“Argentina should move toward 100% renewables, as soon as possible”

INTERVIEW WITH STEVE SAWYER, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE GLOBAL WIND ENERGY COUNCIL

Having worked in energy and environment for over three decades, Steve Sawyer is one of the to-go persons when discussing renewables. Sawyer is since 2007 the secretary general of the Global Wind Energy Council, which represents the major wind energy associations as companies, and has followed closely the expansion of renewables in Argentina.

In an interview with the Times, Sawyer highlighted the efforts done by the Macri administration in boosting the renewables market, while warning over some delays in the implementation of the projects. How is the implementation of the re- newable projects moving along after the RenovAR tenders?

The process is starting up but with some delays and glitches. Investors were sceptical at first based on Argentina’s history but after the midterms they gained confidence. It wasn’t easy on some aspects such as financing but once the first projects are up and running the process will build upon itself Do you believe the eight percent goal will be achieved this year?

No, that’s not going to happen. The secondary goal for 2025 is much more realistic and it should be achieved. Will there be greater investments from future RenovAR tenders?

The cost of financing should go down as global financial institutions are becoming involved in the process and technology keeps improving, with energy yields from renewables going up in most markets.

With so many projects being allocated, could transmission lines be a problem?

As RenovAR moves on there will be problems with transmission, especially if you have the long distances that Argentina has. But as the investment climate continues to improve there should be companies willing to invest in that sector. The logical step would be to allow private investment in transmission.

Should Argentina plan to disinvest from fossil fuels entirely, considering the climate change scenario?

Argentina should move towards 100 percent renewables as soon as possible. From the perspective of the government, there’s a desire to develop fossil fuels for economic reasons. It’s hard to argue with that in the short term with the state of the economy. But in the medium term the country should be looking at moving out of fossil fuels. The days are numbered for burning them for power.